JPH08604A - Medical radioscopic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a medical radioscopic device by which a radioscopic image can be three-dimensionally observed so that IVR therapy can be accurately carried out by an operator. CONSTITUTION:In a medical radioscopic device consisting of an X-ray radiation means, an image processing means for detecting the X-ray transmitted image of a testee and for converting it into an electric signal, and an image display means for displaying the electric signal as an image; in the image display means in which a two-focus X-ray tube 4a is used as an X-ray radiating means and X-rays are applied to the testee from two directions by alternately changing over the radiation of X-rays, the radioscopic images corresponding to the respective right and left eyes of an operator in synchronization with the changeover of the X-ray are displayed on two liquid crystal displays 102, 104 so as to be alternately changed over.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus used for X-ray diagnosis of an examinee, and in particular, a medical X-ray that allows an operator to stereoscopically observe an X-ray fluoroscopic image. The present invention relates to a fluoroscopic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Medical X-ray fluoroscopes such as an X-ray fluoroscope and a circulatory system have become indispensable in the field of diagnosis, but recently, they are used not only for diagnosis but also for treatment. Is also being used. This treatment is performed under fluoroscopy, for example, by inserting a catheter having various instruments attached to its tip into a subject. As a result, compared with the conventional treatment by surgical operation, it is possible to reduce the pain given to the subject, and it is possible to perform the treatment at low cost, which is a great advantage.
For this reason, it has been rapidly spreading recently. Such a treatment method is called IVR (Interventional Radiology).

Since this IVR requires delicate and delicate catheter operation, it is important to incorporate the function and performance capable of supporting accurate catheter operation in the fluoroscopic imaging table and the circulatory system. Above all, there are strong demands for images such as high quality of the fluoroscopic image and a method of switching the reference image and the real-time fluoroscopic image.

FIG. 8 shows a medical X widely used in general.
1 shows a circulatory device which is a type of fluoroscopic device. The circulatory apparatus in this figure is a biplane type apparatus that includes two sets of an X-ray tube and an image intensifier (hereinafter referred to as II) and is capable of simultaneously seeing through from two directions. , X-ray tube and I.I. are one set and are called single plane type). The X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 4a pass through the subject 2 lying on the top plate 1 and are I.D.
I. It is incident on 6a and is converted into an electric signal. After that, the image is displayed on the display 20 as a perspective image of the subject 2 through an image processing device described later. These X-ray tubes 4a and I.V.
I. 6a is supported by an arm 8, and this arm 8 is attached to a supporter 10 fixed to a floor 12. Similarly, the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 4b pass through the subject 2 and are I.D. I. It is incident on 6b and is converted into an electric signal. After that, the image is displayed on the display 20 as a perspective image of the subject 2 through an image processing device described later. These X-ray tubes 4
b and I. I. 6b is supported by an arm 14, and this arm 14 can move on a rail 18 fixed to a ceiling 24.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a control device for the circulatory device. It should be noted that FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a single plane type for simplification of description. However, in general, in the biplane type, since there are only two sets equivalent to those shown in FIG. 9,
Here, the function of the controller of the X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus will be described for the single plane type. First, the control device
Image processing device 50, device control device 76, X-ray control device 8
It can be roughly divided into two. The image processing device 50 is an A / D
Converter 52, image processing unit 54, display gradation processing unit 56, D
And / A converter 58. That is, the subject 2
The X-ray tube 4a is irradiated with X-rays, and the transmitted X-rays are I.V.
I. When incident on 6a, the transmitted X-ray information is converted into an analog signal by a television camera (not shown). This analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 52 and sent to the image processing unit 54. The sent digital image signal is subjected to image processing such as contrast and gamma characteristic conversion, and is sent to the display gradation processing unit 56 which performs gradation processing. After gradation processing, the digital image signal is D / A
It is converted into an analog signal by the converter 58 and is displayed on the display 20 as a perspective image. Next, the device control device 76 causes the roller 60 supporting the arm 8 and the belt 6
2, 66, pulleys 64, 68, a decelerator 70, and a motor 72. The motor 72 driven and controlled by the motor controller 74 controls the X-ray tube 4a and the I.D. I. 6 is a mechanism that can rotate around the subject 2. It should be noted that in an actual apparatus, the I.I. I.
Although there is a mechanism for bringing the subject closer to and away from the subject, a control device for the same, etc., they are omitted here. The X-ray control device 82 applies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 4a, and an X-ray condition such as a tube voltage of the X-ray tube, a tube current, and a voltage application time for the high-voltage generating section 78. It is composed of an X-ray controller 80 which emits a signal. The above image processing device 50,
The device controller 76 and the X-ray controller 82 are generally controlled by the system controller 84.

[0006]

However, in such a medical X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus, the operator can know the position of the catheter during the treatment of IVR by observing the X-ray fluoroscopic image on the display. In the depth direction, that is,
It is not possible to directly obtain three-dimensional position information. In order to know the position in the depth direction, an X-ray tube and an I.D. I. It is necessary to change the positions of and to obtain perspective images from different directions. However, the three-dimensional position information obtained by such a method cannot be intuitively grasped. In addition, a contrast agent is often injected into a blood vessel to highlight the blood vessel,
X-ray tube and I.V. I. While moving the positions of and, the contrast agent disappears from the visual field. Therefore, the following three methods are known as methods for immediately capturing a perspective image in three dimensions, but each has its drawbacks.

First, an X-ray tube and an I.D. I. A biplane type device having two sets of and can be raised. With this, since it is possible to simultaneously obtain perspective images from different directions, it is possible to immediately know the position in the depth direction. However, since it is necessary to judge by looking at two images, it cannot be intuitively grasped.
In addition, compared with the case of the single plane type, an X-ray tube and an I.D. I. Since there is an extra set of and,
Very expensive. Furthermore, since IVR is performed by the operator close to the side of the subject, it is necessary to leave as much space as possible around the subject. Also in this respect,
Biplane type devices are disadvantageous.

Secondly, there is a method of irradiating X-rays from an X-ray tube having two focal points. However, this method is currently only used for images captured on film and has no practical application in fluoroscopy.

Thirdly, regarding the above-mentioned second method, X-rays are alternately emitted from the respective focal points of the bifocal X-ray tube, and this image is taken as 1
A technique for stereoscopic viewing by displaying on one display and opening and closing the left and right shutters of eyeglasses with shutters in conjunction with the focus is disclosed in JP-A-1-53692 and JP-A-2-195943.
It is published in the bulletin. This technique is a very effective technique because it allows easy stereoscopic viewing when observing a still image. However, an important image for IVR is a moving image. In order to recognize a moving image, it is necessary to open and close the left and right shutters in a short time (about 1/30 second) and in synchronization with the focus switching. For this purpose, a mechanism for opening and closing the shutters of the eyeglasses at high speed synchronously by a motor is required, which is difficult to realize.

As can be seen from the above description, in the conventional apparatus and technique, stereoscopic viewing of a moving image effective for IVR has many disadvantages in terms of cost and technology.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a medical X-ray fluoroscope capable of stereoscopically observing a fluoroscopic image of a subject inexpensively and reliably with a minimum device configuration. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0012]

In order to achieve this object, in the present invention, X-ray irradiating means capable of irradiating a subject with X-rays from different directions and X-rays transmitted through the subject. An X-ray detector for detecting X-rays, a means for converting an X-ray transmission image of a subject by the detector into an image electric signal, an image processing device for performing arithmetic processing on this electric signal, and this image processed In a medical X-ray fluoroscope including image display means for displaying an electric signal as an image, a switching means for alternately irradiating X-rays from two different directions by the X-ray irradiating means is provided, and the image display means, A means for displaying images corresponding to the left and right eyes of the operator is provided in synchronization with the switching of the X-ray irradiation.

[0013]

In this medical X-ray fluoroscope, X-rays obtained by alternately irradiating the subject with X-rays from two different directions are obtained.
The fluoroscopic image from the direction is displayed by switching the images corresponding to the left and right eyes of the operator in synchronization with the switching of the X-ray irradiation. Therefore, this allows the operator to
You will see perspective images from different directions,
It becomes possible to stereoscopically see the X-ray fluoroscopic image of the subject.

[0014]

1 is a block diagram of a control device of an embodiment of a medical X-ray fluoroscope according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, a bifocal X-ray tube having two focal points is used as the X-ray tube. Then, the subject 2 is irradiated with X-rays from one focus of the X-ray tube 4a, and the X-rays transmitted through the subject 2 are I.D. I. When incident on 6a, the transmitted X-rays are converted into analog signals by a television camera (not shown). This analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 52 and sent to the image processing unit 54. The sent digital image signal is subjected to image processing such as contrast and gamma characteristic conversion, stored in the frame memory A86, and then sent to the display gradation processing unit 56 which performs gradation processing. When the gradation process is completed, the digital image signal passes through the R / L switching unit 94 and then the liquid crystal display control unit 9
6, and a perspective image of the subject 2 is displayed on the left liquid crystal display 102 corresponding to the operator's left eye. At the next timing, the X-rays emitted from the other focal points of the X-ray tube 4a are subjected to the same processing as described above, the digital image signal is stored in the frame memory B88, and then the R / L switching unit 94 is used. Thus, the transparent image of the subject 2 is sent to the liquid crystal display control unit 98 and displayed on the right side liquid crystal display 104 corresponding to the operator's right eye. The switching timing of the R / L switching unit 94 in the above description is controlled by the system controller 84 so as to be synchronized with the focus switching described below.

Switching between the X-ray and the focus of the X-ray tube is performed by the X-ray
A high voltage switching unit 92 that switches and applies a high voltage to each focus of the line tube 4a, a high voltage generation unit 78 that generates a high voltage,
The high voltage generator 78 is controlled by an X-ray controller 80 which issues an X-ray condition signal such as a tube voltage, a tube current and a voltage application time, and a high voltage switching controller 90 which gives a switching signal to a high voltage switching unit 92. ing. The X-ray controller 80 and the high voltage switching controller 90 are controlled by the system controller 84 described above.

Further, the X-ray tube 4a and the I.D. I. 6a is
It is supported by the arm 8 supported by the roller 60, and is connected to the motor 72 via the belts 62 and 66, the pulleys 64 and 68, and the speed reducer 70. The motor 72 is driven by a motor controller 74. These are also totally controlled by the system controller 84 described above.

Next, the image display means will be described. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operator who wears the image display means. The left side liquid crystal display 102 corresponding to the left eye 106 and the right side liquid crystal display 104 corresponding to the right eye 108 are integrally housed in a case 114 and hung on the head 202 of the subject by a belt 116. Here, 110 and 112 are correction lenses, which move the image to a position where the liquid crystal displays 102 and 104 are close to the subject and are difficult to see, so that the images are optically easy to see. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the function of this correction lens. That is, the correction lens 110 located at a distance f in front of the left eye 106 can shift the virtual image 122 of the actual display image 120 of the liquid crystal display to a distance D that is easy for the operator to see. Although the left eye is described in this figure, the same applies to the right eye. FIG. 4 shows a liquid crystal display 102, which is an image display means incorporated in a case 114 by an operator 200.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view in which 104 and correction lenses 110 and 112 are attached. The image display means can also be formed so that it can be retracted arbitrarily so that the operator can use it only when he / she wants to see the fluoroscopic image. FIG. 5 is a perspective view (a) and a sectional view (b) showing the image display means having a retracting function. Liquid crystal display 1 fixed to frame member 130
02, 104, the correction lenses 110, 112, and the members 134, 136 for supporting the correction lenses, the hinge 138.
Thus, the case 114 is rotatably supported. As a result, the lever 132 can be operated to manually retract. It should be noted that this retreating operation may be performed manually, and an actuator may be provided to automatically operate by using a switch that operates by voice, for example.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a similar effect can be obtained by providing a half mirror between the image display means and the operator's optical path. That is, the liquid crystal displays 102 and 104
The display image of the correction lens 110, 112, the mirror 15
0, 152, and half mirrors 154, 156 so as to enter the visual fields of the left eye 106 and the right eye 108 of the operator. Through the half mirrors 154 and 156, the operator can directly see the condition in front of the eyes when the image is not displayed on the image display means. Also,
By adjusting the brightness of the display image, it is possible to superimpose the perspective image and the substance for observation.

FIG. 7 shows a display image of the medical X-ray fluoroscope having the above-mentioned configuration. On the left and right liquid crystal displays, (a) (b), (c) (d),
(E) Displayed as (f), but the operator's left and right eyes 1
Since the fluoroscopic images of the subject 2 by the X-rays from different directions are displayed on 06 and 108 alternately, the operator can see the fluoroscopic images three-dimensionally in three dimensions.

In the above description, the X-ray irradiating means is described by using an X-ray tube having a plurality of focal points. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two X-ray tubes having one focal point are used. You may implement. Although the image display means is a liquid crystal display, it is not limited to this, and a CRT,
An EL display or the like may be used.

[0022]

As described above, in the medical X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus according to the present invention, the operator can see the X-ray fluoroscopic images of the subject from two directions separately by the left and right eyes. As a result, the inside of the subject can be seen through in a three-dimensional manner, and the treatment such as IVR can be performed accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control device of a medical X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operator who wears the image display unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a function of a correction lens that changes an optical distance of a displayed image.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram in which an operator wears the image display means according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an image display unit having a save function.

FIG. 6 is a plan view when a half mirror is interposed between the optical paths of the operator and the image display means.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an image displayed on an image display unit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a biplane type circulatory apparatus which is a conventional medical X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control device of a conventional medical X-ray fluoroscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Top plate 2 ... Subject 4a, 4b ... X-ray tube 6a, 6b ... I. I. 8, 14 ... Arm 10 ... Supporter 12 ... Floor 18 ... Rail 20 ... Display 24 ... Ceiling 50 ... Image processing device 52 ... A / D converter 54 ... Image processing unit 56 ... Display gradation processing unit 58 ... D / A Converter 60 ... Roller 62, 66 ... Belt 64, 68 ... Pulley 70 ... Reducer 72 ... Motor 74 ... Motor control unit 76 ... Equipment control device 78 ... High voltage generation unit 80 ... X-ray control unit 82 ... X-ray control device 84 ... System controller 86, 88 ... Frame memory 90 ... High voltage switching control unit 92 ... High voltage switching unit 94 ... R / L switching unit 96, 98 ... Liquid crystal display control unit 102, 104 ... Liquid crystal display 106, 108 ... Operator Eyes 110, 112 ... Correction lens 114 ... Case 116 ... Belt 120 ... Display image 122 ... Virtual image 130 ... Frame member 132 ... Operation lever 34,136 ... support member 138 ... Hinge 150, 152 ... mirror 154 ... half mirror 200 ... caster 202 ... surgeon's head

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray irradiation means capable of irradiating a subject with X-rays from different directions, an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays transmitted through the subject, and the X-ray detector. Means for converting an X-ray transmission image of the subject into an image electric signal, an image processing device for performing arithmetic processing on the image electric signal, and image display means for displaying the arithmetically processed electric signal as an image. In the medical X-ray fluoroscopic device configured by, the X-ray irradiating unit has a switching unit that alternately switches and irradiates X-rays from two different directions, and the image display unit includes the X-ray irradiating unit. A medical X-ray fluoroscopic apparatus having means for displaying images corresponding to the left and right eyes of an operator in synchronization with the switching.